Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lurqer who wrote (34126)	1/3/2004 3:59:34 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 89467

Enron whistle-blower endorses Clark chron.com Jan. 2, 2004, 4:09PM Enron whistle-blower endorses Clark Associated Press LITTLE ROCK -- The woman who blew the whistle on Enron Corp.'s accounting problems endorsed Wesley Clark for president today, saying she believes he has the integrity to run the country. In a telephone conference call, Sherron Watkins of Houston said she first saw Clark speak at a conference over the summer and was impressed with his vision and composure. She said she began supporting him during a national "Draft Clark" campaign before he announced as a candidate for the Democratic nomination. "He really floored me with his long-term vision for America and how he handled the question-and-answer session with his answers on the war on Iraq and the war on terrorism," she said. A former Enron vice president, Watkins warned company chairman Kenneth Lay in 2001 that the firm could collapse as a result of extensive false accounting. She resigned after the company filed for bankruptcy and was named one of Time magazine's Persons of the Year for 2002. "My Enron experience has brought home to me just how important the tone at the top is," she said. Watkins said she believes President Bush has misled the public, "blurring the line" between the war in Iraq and efforts against terrorism. She said she supports Clark because "he's got integrity, he's not going to mislead the American people and he has a longterm vision." As a retired Army general, Watkins said, Clark has the credentials to combat terrorism and the diplomatic skills to ease tensions between the U.S. and allies who opposed the war in Iraq. "I think Wes Clark is just the person to help rebuild and restore the damage that has been done by the way we bullied our way into the war," she said. On the campaign trail, Clark has opposed the war in Iraq and criticized Bush for his management of the situation. Because of scandals at corporations like Enron and Worldcom, Clark has said, he would increase efforts to hold corporate America responsible for misconduct. But he said he would do so without writing new rules and regulations. Clark spokesman Matt Bennett said Watkin's name was recognized by a campaign worker reviewing donor lists, and the campaign solicited her endorsement. "Her brave stance on behalf of what's right against the special interests at Enron is what made her a national figure and what makes her such a valuable endorsement for General Clark," he said.